Origami adventures to abstract e-sports, the indie scene is full of originality.

One of the best things about travelling to shows like PAX East and the Game Developers Conference is the chance to check out titles from off-the-beaten-path, independent developers. While shows like E3 are overwhelmed by the presence of multi-million dollar booths from huge publishers, the early-in-the-year shows make a point of highlighting some of the most original and promising game ideas from game makers without big contracts or salaried positions behind them. Freed from the financial responsibilities of the major AAA publishers, these are the titles that are most likely to truly break new ground in gameplay, aesthetics, and subject matter.

Here, we've collected 25 of the most entertaining indie titles we got our hands on recently. Some of these were being shown for the first time, others have been around the trade show circuit a few times now. Some are even already available for purchase or download. Regardless, all of these should at least be on the radar for anyone seeking new and entertaining gameplay experiences.

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The next game from Limbo designer Jeppe Carlsen couldn't actually be less Limbo-like. In this abstract rhythm-platform game, you control a morphing shape that rolls as a circle, jumps as a triangle, or pauses in place as a square. The appeal is in the way levels change themselves in time with the music (which hums along at the titular 140 beats per minute), featuring blocks that disappear and reappear on the beat or deadly areas of static that move in time with the harmony. As the game progresses, these syncopated, complementary beats layer on to create some devious platform puzzles along with some extremely infectious tunes.

At the end of each level, the game takes a turn for the surreal, transforming your abstract character into a spaceship or a gun-toting defender to mix up the gameplay a bit. Much like Limbo, this one is shaping up to be a short-but-sweet experience that sticks with you long after it's done.—Kyle Orland

Barabariball

If you recognize this game's odd name, chances are you helped push the Sportsfriends Kickstarter campaign past its funding goal. Barabariball is probably the least publicized of the four games in that package, set to launch later this year, but it's also perhaps the most deserving of the “Sportsfriends” label.

The game recalls the mid-'80s ethos of NES sports games, both in its 2D pixel art and in raw gameplay. It combines the speed and responsiveness of Nintendo's Ice Hockey, the positional battling of Super Smash Bros., and the rules of American Gladiators' “Powerball” event. Teams of two jump around an arena floating on water, scoring points by throwing the ball into their own side of the water. Double-jumping and kicking dominate the mid-air ball-control battles, and as such, you'll need to carefully manage your energy meter, which only recharges when you land. It's a level of abstract-sports bliss you probably haven't enjoyed since 1989.—Sam Machkovech

Beat Buddy

What do you get when you combine an adorably blue, bouncy protagonist with a danceable beat? You get Beat Buddy, a music-based action-adventure game. Your job is to maneuver your Beat Buddy along the path, while the game integrates music in a non-linear fashion. You’ll start off with basic bass drum sounds before different elements of the background song come in gradually in layers as you progress. Eventually, Beat Buddy’s interactions with different objects and obstacles will contribute to an overall chorus of instruments.

Beat Buddy isn’t just enjoyable to play; it’s also pleasing to look at. The developers behind Beat Buddy hand-painted all of the backdrops for the game, and each of the animations move in rhythm with the sound they emit.—Florence Ion

Cannon Brawl

Worms, StarCraft, and Combat collide in one of the best new action-RTS game designs in years. Two players battle on opposite sides of a 2D map, managing resources not just to build new weaponry and turrets, but also to plant bases. These bases are crucial in controlling the limited build space on Cannon Brawl's maps. Thanks to the simplicity of the 2D battlegrounds, strategic placement is key to staying intact.

Cannon Brawl, a PAX 10 winner in 2012, doesn't deliver the asymmetrical genius of StarCraft. But its straightforward management of resources and object creation does a good job of distilling the intensity of a StarCraft firefight without requiring a stupidly high actions-per-minute count from combatants.—Sam Machkovech

Cart Life

Fans of classic games like Lemonade Stand will enjoy Cart Life, a noir-style retail simulator for Windows that lets players control the lives of street vendors in an urban setting. Your mission is to complete specific goals for each playable character while using their special traits and additions. You’ll need to secure expensive permits before you can have a successful retail operation, all the while meeting the demands of your various customers.

The game features a monochromatic color scheme that suits the noir feeling well. While the storyline is a bit more open-ended than traditional simulators, players can’t veer too far off from the intended plot line. You’ll also have to keep track of minor physiological needs (like sleep) for each playable character.

The game is available free of charge, or you can pay $5 for the “Everything Edition,” or anywhere from $40 to $60 for the “Delux-o” edition. That last one includes three books and an original cartoon by the author in a collector’s tin.—Florence Ion

79 Reader Comments

Indie games are where you get the most for your money. You can very well tell that by the "Humble Bundles" that have been so successful. The direction that the major game makers are taking, and we all have been reading about those, will just increase the popularity of indie games. A very enjoyable article.

I'm really glad for people like these indie game developers. Although they may not be able to compete with the likes of EA, at least they stick to their true principles and concepts and make games for the people. so next time I have to deal with a SimCity fiasco, I know there are other options out there.

The games listed cover a wide range of choices so there's at least something for everyone. and I'm sure they won't cost $60 with online DRM and nickel and dime you to death with DLCs.

I really like this type of article. Its a great way to look at a series of games and puts focus on the indie market which can have a lot of variety and diversity.

Could we get some follow-up notices when these games do actually release? Its hard to track them sometimes when the release date is unspecified or not well publicized.

The one I am most excited for is Transistor. There were feelings of overwhelming joy when I heard the Bastion creator was greating a new game followed by a sigh when I saw the release date as being sometime out.

After watching some of the video of the gameplay on Youtube, I now eagerly await that voice (you know the one) to say 'Its ready' at game launch.

So many great indie games lately. Love these articles too. I never would have come across most of these otherwise.

It really feels like gaming is taking a turn for the better. Up until recently it seemed like gaming was turning into a copy of the hollywood system where sequels and formulaic blockbusters are the norm and any innovative or unique project is rejected as unprofitable.

There's something about these games that is so pure and simple. The gameplay and story is forefront and the graphics are charming. A very refreshing change from the DRM, DLC, F2P, COD8 world we game in.

On a separate note, I wanted Sportsfriends, but I did not want to boot up a separate OS to play the games or buy 80 bajillion different controllers to play them all. Have they made any progress on that front?

- Dungeon Hearts is listed as "PC" (which is generally interpreted as Windows) but it's also out on Mac and Linux. My wife's been hooked on it for a couple weeks.

- Kentucky Route Zero is also on Linux

So much good stuff out there right now. It kills me that I don't have more time to play. I've got a backlog of easily 40 games, and yet every time I have a few minutes I find myself firing up FTL again.

An indie game that was showing at PAX East this year was Eon Altar. A multiplayer in-person dungeon crawler, like D&D meets a board game using a tablet as the game boad, and mobile handsets (or other tablets) as your character sheet/ character control.

Yea, I was surprised at Starbound's omission, especially since they just recently opened up pre-orders and quite a few gaming sites have reported on it as a result (The Escapist, RPS, Joystiq, etc). It's currently closing in on 750,000$ -- quite impressive considering they're only offering the pre-orders through their own site instead of a service with more visibility (Kickstarter, etc). Time to add an extra item to the list.

Great preview list. I'm really intrigued by Colliding Forces. It's either a combination of elements that will be weird and offputting, or a refreshing mix of elements that really comes together in a new and interesting way. Looking forward to what that has to offer.

It’s the card game where a well-chosen argument can move the world! Choose the Perfect Rebuttal with cool Reason, snide Derision, righteous Ethics, or hot-blooded Passion! Plan ahead and catch your opponent off-guard with a stunning Chain of Arguments! Help Abraham Lincoln, Cao Cao, Joan of Arc, Socrates, and more sway the modern world with their philosophies! Can you win the Scholars’ Tournament?

Looking forward to Transistor (as is everyone, apparently) and Tengami. Drop that Beat Like an Ugly Baby is looking fun as well, but I'm surprised you didn't refer to the game by its full name: 1... 2... 3... KICK IT! (Drop That Beat Like an Ugly Baby). Or for that matter, their previous game by its full name: AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! – A Reckless Disregard for Gravity.

The Beta is very playable this point and Lucas has really nailed the 1984 feeling. The kicker that your score at the end of your day is your salary (and the fact that the game really rushes you) which you need to spend on food, heat, medicine, etc. really drives it all home. Plus there's some funny characters you'll come across.

Being an indie game dev myself, I like articles like these which helps people get exposed to the joys of indie games. I'm happy there's so many people out there who likes the experiments and originality that are the result of these hard working indie devs. Way to go!

And then there are the higher profile upcoming games that are remakes, sequels, or spiritual successors of older games like ones based on Leisure Suit Larry, Quest for Glory, Ultima, Planescape Torment, Shadowgate, Baldur's Gate, Space Quest, Chip's Challenge, and Wasteland. But that's probably another whole article =).

Kyle Orland / Kyle is the Senior Gaming Editor at Ars Technica, specializing in video game hardware and software. He has journalism and computer science degrees from University of Maryland. He is based in Pittsburgh, PA.